Dining Out, Pt. 1

Eating vegan in this area is really difficult. Or even vegetarian. It's difficult because there are about four places to eat, one option at each, and that can get really tiresome. Not that eating out often is ideal. Still, if a friend wants to eat out before a movie or if someone from out of town wants to go to a restaurant, it usually goes like this:

"Where do you want to eat?"

"Um, we could go to Barberitos. Or Earth Fare. Or Rolly Polly."

"I don't want to eat at those places. How about The Crazy Tomato?"

"I guess I can get a salad..."

And this salad we're talking about here is a representative of vegan salad in this area, not just this particular restaurant - a handful of iceberg with a few cherry tomatoes and sliced carrots. Maybe mushrooms. Good luck if you don't want grilled chicken salad of some kind or other.

We've gone into restaurants and there was literally not one single option without animal products. The best you can do is settle for some cheese or cream sauce. The Applebee's on Roan Street, which we went to with a gift card, is one example.

I wasn't going to bother writing about restaurants in our area because, well, this is Johnson City. I changed my mind, though, upon further consideration.

1.) Johnson City has more restaurants per capita than any other city in the nation. Or at least we did in 2003. Not sure if that's still true.

2.) I feel like this town is pretty representative of a lot of towns all over the United States in terms of what's available to the people. Mostly chain restaurants and establishments, a few modest "mom & pop" shops here and there.

Many of us don't live in cities or towns that cater to the needs of vegans, vegetarians, or really anyone with specific dietary choices and needs. When I tried to order a coffee in the hospital (which is a Magnet hospital!) a few months ago, they didn't even have a true non-dairy option for creamer. And that's the hospital.

While I attempt to adjust my own lifestyle, along with my husband, I'd also like to explore the lifestyle relationship to the broader environment. In my own town, when we travel on the road or by train, when we're with friends, etc. All of these factors effect the individual attempting to change over to a healthier, more fulfilling lifestyle.

Regardless of whether this mentality is "right" or "wrong", how many people would eat better if it was easier? How many people would eat less meat? How many people would eat more fruit and vegetables? How many people would not miss filling up on butter bread before a meal, or being tempted and then feeling guilty for eating so much "free" bread?

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